We can enjoy fresh mussels, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers year-round from the frigid waters of Hudson Bay, although a lot of work isinvolved in chopping a large hole through almost six feet of sea ice in February and scraping the bounty off the sea floor!

The Territorial Government imported some reindeer to the Belcher Islands from the western Arctic in the late seventies and twice a year the herd, which now numbers between 700-800, is culled and approximately 25 animals are taken to give the community an alternative to seal meat and store-bought food. The main diet continues to be seal meat and the supply seems almost endless. There are several different species including harbor seal, ringed seal and bearded seal. Walrus are also eaten, mainly in the early fall.

The quantity and variety of waterfowl is abundant and this area is summer nesting home to many species of ducks, geese, loons, owls and falcons. In the past this area was unique in that many of the hunters spouses used Eider duck skins to make warm, dry parkas because there were no caribou on the islands.

We are also on a major migration route for polar bears, which spend their summers on the mainland of northern Ontario and south eastern Manitoba, and pass near our islands in January and February. The local Hunters and Trappers Organization issue twenty-five "tags" per year and to date none have been purchased by non-natives.The hides are sold by the foot and the meat used for dog food as some of it is toxic for human consumption. I think that the proximity to living "close to nature" inspires most artists and is evident in the themes of most of our artwork.

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